Eichinger Oder Knechtl
:
Design of Kirchenplatz in Herzogenburg
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The architects designed a new forecourt for the baroque collegiate church, the surface of which has been paved with stone tiles in seven different colours. The concrete tiles draw the hand of a baroque sculpture to be found inside the church. Reflected lighting casts soft light onto the image.
For the redesign of Kirchenplatz in Herzogenburg the architect duo Eichinger oder Knechtl reacted with great sensitivity to the complex demand for an urban outdoor space despite the presence of existing parking facilities. A new 1,000 square metre forecourt was created in front of the entrance to the baroque monastic church that forms an intimate zone despite its size. The reduction of design elements is contrasted by a poetic positioning of symbols linking the church and the square and the interior and exterior spaces with one another. The square has been paved in seven different shades of artificial stone slabs. The seven shades of grey form a detail from a baroque sculpture by Bernini in the manner of a pixel-based graphic element.
The image is comprised of 33,928 pieces of concrete that were laid with precision using a carefully worked-out system with the aid of a tile laying manual. The result is astonishing – and the view from the church tower is very impressive too. The new stone steps and benches form a natural boundary to the existing traffic surfaces on the whole square. A new indirect-lighting concept (using reflector lamps) casts a gentle light onto the ground.
(Katharina Blaas-Pratscher)
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